Department for Transport

Railways: North of England

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will ensure that proposals for high-speed trans-Pennine rail services will integrate the City of Bradford into the proposed routes.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Transport for the North (TfN) are leading the development of options for Northern Powerhouse Rail in collaboration with the Department for Transport. The ambition is to dramatically improve journey times and frequencies between the major cities of the North; identified as Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and Hull. The option development includes assessment of the benefits of serving other economic centres, such as Bradford either directly or by released capacity. TfN are currently reviewing proposals for the potential route options, their capabilities, and their costs and benefits for both the economy and passengers.

Road Traffic Control

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 1 November (HL2428), how many applications they have received since May 2015 from local highways authorities to extend their enforcement powers.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Department for Transport receives applications from local authorities outside London wishing to take on civil parking enforcement functions. We have received 2 applications since May 2015.

Railways: Cardiff

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on passengers of the delay in the full electrification of the railway line from London to Cardiff.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: In respect of train services connecting London with Cardiff, we are continuing to assess this programme to make sure we are delivering the services for passengers in a way that provides value for money for the taxpayers. Our new Intercity Express services will provide passengers with greater capacity and a more comfortable journey without the need to wait for full electrification. We are committed to improving services for passengers on the Great Western line. We are investing in this route to deliver better services and new trains with thousands more seats. This is an ambitious and challenging undertaking, but real progress is being made.

Great Western Railway Line

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Statement by the Parliamentary Under-secretary of State for Transport on 8 November (HC WS239), if the benefits expected by passengers could be achieved without requiring costly and disruptive electrification works, why they initially authorised those electrification projects, and why they allowed the projects to proceed to such a late stage before deciding to defer them.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Electrification has been commissioned as part of the Government's plans to upgrade the rail network due to its benefits to passengers – such as facilitating the delivery of new and more reliable trains - benefits to the environment and its contribution to reducing the cost of the railway. Programmes as large and complex as the Great Western Route Modernisation will always be subject to ongoing review and the recent announcements on deferring electrification on parts of the route were based on a consideration of the latest circumstances and assumptions in order to make sure we are delivering enhanced services for passengers, such as new trains, in a way that provides value for money for taxpayers.

Crossrail Line

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government who are the project representatives for the Crossrail project, and what are their roles and responsibilities.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Project Representative for the Crossrail project is Jacobs UK Limited who undertake regular and/or ad hoc review of Crossrail Limited’s performance in relation to its obligation under the Crossrail Project Development Agreement (PDA). A redacted copy of the PDA is available in the Libraries of both Houses. Clause 25.3 of PDA, which has not been redacted, outlines key functions of the Project Representative.

Ministry of Defence

16 Air Assault Brigade

Earl Attlee: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will place 16 Air Assault Brigade's Critical Outstanding Spares List for the Pinzgauer range of vehicles in the Library of the House.

Earl Howe: There are no plans to place the 16 Air Assault Brigade's Critical Outstanding Spares List for the Pinzgauer range in the Library of the House.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Business: Regulation

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 8 September (HL Deb, cols 1125–6), when they intend to publish the consultation document setting out a range of options for improving corporate governance.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The Government intends to publish a discussion paper on options for improving corporate governance before the end of the year.

Consumer Advice, Protection, Standards and Enforcement for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Independent Review

Lord Stunell: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they plan to publish the review by Dr Peter Bonfield into consumer advice, protection, standards and enforcement for energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: We expect the Each Home Counts Review by Dr Peter Bonfield to be published soon.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Middle East and North Africa: Sovereign Wealth Funds

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they are having with the directors of overseas sovereign wealth funds about increasing investment and employment across the Middle East and North Africa, both north and south of the Sahara.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are in regular contact with sovereign wealth funds in the Gulf in support of our mutual interests in economic development.

Israel: Bedouin

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to consult the UN Secretary-General, the regional UN agencies, and the authorities and embassies in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem about the future of the Palestinian Bedouin now living in small communities in Area C, many under demolition orders.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We regularly speak to a variety of sources about the situation of the Bedouin communities in Area C of the West Bank, including UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and UN Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. We have raised this matter with the Israeli authorities and have exchanged information/coordinated lobbying with other international diplomatic missions in Tel Aviv.On 3 November, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), met with Abu Khamis, leader of the Khan al Ahmar Bedouin community, and an UNRWA official to discuss the situation in Area C.

North Korea: Nuclear Weapons

Lord Northbrook: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the future implications of continued nuclear weapons tests by North Korea on the stability of the Korean Peninsula.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UK condemns the recent nuclear test conducted by the Democratic Poeple's Republic of Korea (DPRK), which is a direct violation of binding UN Security Council Resolutions. The DPRK must comply with its obligations under all relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, including abandoning all nuclear weapons and nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. We continue to discuss further UN Security Council measures with partners.

Commonwealth

Lord Northbrook: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the referendum on the UK's membership of the EU, what plans they have to promote co-operation between members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: One of the opportunities of the UK's departure from the EU is the ability to deepen our relationship with Commonwealth nations and the strengthen the organisation. We therefore remain determined to deliver on our manifesto commitment to strengthen the Commonwealth's focus on promoting democratic values and development. Furthermore, we will look to build on this commitment when the UK co-hosts with Malta the inaugural meeting of Commonwealth Trade Ministers in March 2017, and hosts the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2018.

India: Amalgamated Plantations

The Earl of Listowel: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussion they have had with the government of India about the housing and working conditions for families in plantations run by Amalgamated Plantations Private Limited in Assam.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We have not had any discussions with the government of India on this topic. We expect all companies operating in India to follow India's Labour Law.The UK is a strong supporter of the universally agreed United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and is committed to promoting its widespread implementation across the world.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Vetting

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the efficiency of the Foreign Office's vetting process for new employees; and what is the average time a successful applicant has to wait before they can start their duties.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Most new employees are cleared within 60 working days if they require Developed Vetting clearance, or 18 days if they require Security Checked clearance. Occasionally additional checks are required which may take longer. All Foreign and Commonwealth Office vetting is conducted in accordance with the requirements and standards set by the Cabinet Office.

Department for Exiting the European Union

Brexit

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the ruling of the High Court regarding the triggering of Article 50, what assessment they have made of the legal validity of other instruments and decisions, including EU directives and regulations, which have been implemented without the specific consent of Parliament.

Lord Bridges of Headley: The Government continues to implement and abide by its EU legal commitments in the usual way and will continue to do so until the UK leaves the EU.In relation to the High Court's judgment, the Government disagrees with the court’s judgment and will be appealing the court case.

Department for Exiting the European Union: Public Expenditure

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what will be the cost of setting up and running the Department for Exiting the European Union during the 2016–17 financial year.

Lord Bridges of Headley: The budget will be voted on by Parliament at the Supplementary Estimate and published in line with standard practice.

Department for International Development

Refugees: Europe

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Syrian and other refugees remain in conditions which do not meet international standards as determined by the UNHCR in (1) Greece, (2) Bulgaria, (3) Macedonia, (4) Albania, (5) Serbia, (6) Romania, (7) Hungary, (8) Slovenia, (9) Austria, (10) Malta, (11) Italy, and (12) France; and what efforts they and the EU are making to achieve resettlement for them in third countries, or integration where they are now.

Lord Bates: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is closely monitoring the conditions of Syrian and other refugees in the European countries in which they work. UNHCR does not report on the number of refugees living in conditions which do not meet international standards; however they provide regular information updates about the situation across Europe. For the latest report see attached.The UK response to the crisis in Europe provides humanitarian assistance, protection and durable solutions to vulnerable migrants and refugees. This includes the relocation of a number of unaccompanied refugee children from Europe to the UK. The UK will also contribute £2.5 million to the new Emerging Resettlement Country Mechanism, which will facilitate the resettlement of refugees to suitable third countries.If a Syrian national or any other person claims asylum in one of the listed EU Member States, EU asylum law will apply and EU directives require the listed Member States to ensure access to appropriate integration programmes that take into account the specific needs of beneficiaries of international protection.



PQ HL3082 attachment 
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Department for Education

Business: Education

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that British school-leavers have the necessary business skills to attract employers.

Lord Nash: The Government is determined to make sure that every child, no matter where they live or what their background, has the skills they need to succeed in work and life. Strong literacy and numeracy are central to this, but other skills and qualities are essential, including the development of well-rounded and resilient individuals. It is also vital that schools provide high-quality careers guidance to pupils on their options. They have a legal requirement to inform pupils about apprenticeships and other vocational options. Every child should be taught to read well and read widely and write with accuracy and confidence. The new English language GCSE places greater emphasis on demonstration of accurate, spelling, punctuation and grammar. Students must be able read a wide range of texts fluently, write effectively, and demonstrate sound use of Standard English. There is a much stronger emphasis across the mathematics curriculum on the essential arithmetic knowledge that employers value and which underpins calculations with money and percentages. Children must be fluent in written and mental arithmetic by the end of primary school. At secondary school pupils are taught about functions and uses of money including about wages, taxes, credit, debt, financial risk and a range of more sophisticated financial products and services at GCSE. The Government has introduced new “core maths” qualifications that will help students develop their mathematical skills further through real world examples from business, research or everyday life. Core maths content covers financial maths such as learning how to build a financial model to understand an investment or calculating ways to improve a process. These are the practical maths skills that are needed in a wide variety of business careers, from marketing to manufacturing and banking. Supporting schools to develop well-rounded and resilient pupils is a high priority – we know that these skills make young people attractive to employers. The Department carries out a range of activity to develop young people in this way, working with the National Citizen Service and celebrating those organisations that are working to instil positive traits in young people through the Character Awards. Furthermore, the Government has established the Careers & Enterprise Company to play a lead role in transforming the provision of careers, enterprise and employer engagement experiences for young people, to inspire them and prepare them for the world of work. Apprenticeships are an essential part of this, which the Company is promoting through its nationwide Enterprise Adviser Network. This network has been set up to broker strong and extensive links locally between schools and colleges and employers, focusing on areas where provision will have the most impact. The Network now has 1190 Enterprise Advisers and 78 Enterprise Coordinators, connecting over 900 schools in 37 out of 38 Local Enterprise Partnership areas in England. The National Curriculum focuses on the essential knowledge that must be taught, but all schools are required to teach a broad and balanced school curriculum which prepares pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.

Ministry of Justice

Prisoners: Suicide

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Keen of Elie on 3 November (HL Deb col 770), what estimate they have made of the financial cost of each suicide which occurs in prisons and of the annual cumulative cost.

Lord Keen of Elie: Every death in custody is a tragedy, and the Government is committed to reducing the number of self-inflicted deaths in prison. It is very difficult to accurately calculate the financial costs of suicide in prison. Action to reduce the number of self-inflicted deaths is an urgent priority, and our plans, including investment in 2,500 more prison officers across the prison estate, are set out in the White Paper on Prison Safety and Reform which was published earlier this month.

Judiciary

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty’s Government to what criteria or guidance they have regard in performing their duty under section 3 of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 to uphold the independence of the judiciary.

Lord Keen of Elie: The Cabinet Manual makes clear reference to judicial independence. All ministers have access to legal advice in relation to their statutory duties where necessary, including advice where appropriate from the Law Officers.

Magistrates' Courts: Wales

Lord Jones: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Magistrates' Courts there are in Wales, and what are their locations.

Lord Keen of Elie: There are 15 magistrates’ courts in Wales (as of November 2016). Holyhead Magistrates’ CourtLlandudno Magistrates CourtCaernarfon Justice Centre (County and Magistrates’ Court combined)Mold Law Courts (Crown, County and Magistrates’ Combined)Wrexham Law Courts (County and Magistrates’ Court Combined)Welshpool Magistrates’ and Family CourtAberystwyth Justice Centre (County and Magistrates’ Court combined)Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ and Family CourtMerthyr Tydfil Law Courts (Crown, County and Magistrates’ Court Combined)Cwmbran Magistrates’ CourtNewport Magistrates’ CourtCardiff Magistrates’ CourtSwansea Magistrates’ CourtHaverfordwest (County and Magistrates’ Court Combined)Llanelli Law Courts (County and Magistrates’ Combined)

Magistrates' Courts: Wales

Lord Jones: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Magistrates' Courts in Wales have been closed since, and including, 2010.

Lord Keen of Elie: Since and including 2010, 21 magistrates’ courts have closed in Wales. The reduction in magistrates’ courts in Wales is due to underutilisation. Closing underused buildings allows us to reinvest in the justice system, improving access to justice and the experience for all court users.

Justices' Clerks: Wales

Lord Jones: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Magistrates' clerks there are currently serving courts in Wales.

Lord Jones: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Magistrates' clerks were employed in Wales in 2010.

Lord Keen of Elie: Justices’ clerks are the principal legal advisers to the magistrates. Each Magistrates’ Court sit with a legal adviser. On 30 September 2016 there were 2 justices’ clerks employed in Wales. On 30 November 2010 there were 5 justices’ clerks employed in Wales.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Kids Company

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ashton of Hyde on 8 November (HL2917), how Kid's Company spent the grant of £3 million, or any part thereof, which was made to them in August 2015.

Lord Ashton of Hyde: The £3 million grant was awarded to Kids Company on 29 July 2015. Kids Company spent a proportion of the £3 million on staff wages. We are engaging with the Official Receiver about retrieving the Grant funds.

Data Protection: Charities

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which the Information Commissioner has complied with the duties set out in section 51 of the Data Protection Act 1998 in promoting good practice by data controllers in relation to charities.

Lord Ashton of Hyde: Under s51 of the Data Protection Act 1998 the Information Commissioner has a duty to promote the following of good practice by data controllers. The ICO updated its direct marketing guidance in March 2016, which included examples and references to the charitable sector, and published a webinar on its website which provided specific advice to charities on how to comply with the direct marketing legislation. In addition, the ICO published its updated Privacy Notices Code in October 2016, a checklist for all organisations buying and selling data, including those undertaking direct marketing. All guidance can be found on the ICO's website www.ico.org.uk

Data Protection: Charities

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in ensuring that charities are well informed about the requirements of guidance issued by the Information Commissioner's Office on data sharing.

Lord Ashton of Hyde: The ICO has met with the new Fundraising regulator and the Charity Commission, where the guidance on direct marketing has been discussed and promoted. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Information Commissioner's Office and the Fundraising Regulator has been recently agreed. The ICO have also spoken at a number of conferences for the third sector to promote the guidance.

Information Commissioner

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Information Commissioner is required to consult relevant stakeholders prior to issuing guidance; and whether there are any plans to review the way in which consultations on proposed guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office are conducted.

Lord Ashton of Hyde: Under s51(3) of the Data Protection Act 1998 the Information Commissioner is required to consult 'with trade associations, data subjects or persons representing data subjects as appears to him to be appropriate' before preparing and publishing Codes of Practice or guidance. The Information Commissioner regularly consults on new guidance and codes of practice – for example the recent Privacy Notices code of practice. Details of ICO consultations can be found on the ICO website www.ico.org.uk. The Information Commissioner will review the way in which the ICO consults and prepares guidance as part of its preparations to implement the EU General Data Protection Regulation. A consultation will also be held in relation to the statutory Code of Practice on direct marketing when the provisions in the Digital Economy Bill become law.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Meat Products: Labelling

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will consider introducing mandatory labelling of meat products to show country of origin, method of production and method of slaughter.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: We are currently considering how to build on existing regulations and voluntary principles to increase the food information available, improve consumer transparency and help consumers identify high-quality British food.Mandatory country of origin labelling is already in place for meats, including: beef, veal, pork, sheep, goat and poultry. There are no rules in place for processed meat products, but this is often done on a voluntary basis.Mandatory labelling for method of production for meat products needs to be weighed against the costs involved for businesses, which could be significant. Legislation already provides scope for producers to voluntarily label their products, and a number of assurance schemes are also in place. Consumers that have a preference for a particular farming method can therefore readily find meat products labelled with information to inform their choice.There are currently no specific rules covering the method of slaughter labelling for meat products. We welcomed the findings of last year’s European report into the labelling of meat and religious slaughter, and will assess any proposals that come forward from the EU Commission. Any voluntary labelling must be accurate and not mislead consumers.We will give further consideration to labelling issues in the context of the UK’s exit from the EU.

Agriculture

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact that leaving the EU will have on farming; and whether they plan to implement a new seasonal agricultural workers scheme in order to attract non-EU workers onto farms to pick fruit and vegetable crops.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Supporting our farmers and protecting the environment will form an important part of our exit from the EU. We are now focused on making sure that all our policies are delivering for the UK and to grow our world-leading food and farming industry. I am looking forward to working with industry and the public to develop new proposals that support our agricultural and horticultural industries as we leave the EU. With regard to seasonal labour, until we leave the EU, there are no changes to labour movements. Defra is very aware that migrant workers from other EU countries will be one of the complex issues that will have to be resolved as part of our exit negotiations and future relationship with the EU. We are currently working with colleagues across government to explore options.

Organic Food

Lord Cotter: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to ensure that farming standards are adapted to increase organic food production.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: We work constructively with the European Commission and other Member States to ensure that the European organic standard works at a practical level for UK producers including through the development of a new organic regulation currently being negotiated. Supporting our farmers and protecting the environment will form an important part of our exit from the EU. We are now focused on making sure that all our policies are delivering for the UK and to grow our world-leading food and farming industry.

Organic Food

Lord Cotter: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to reduce the costs of organic products.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Organic produce is likely to be more expensive than its non-organic equivalent due to the increased production costs inherent in the system. In recognition of these additional costs, as well as funding available to all farmers, there is funding available to increase the area of organic farming within the current Rural Development Programme. Under Rural Development, organic farming is supported via the Countryside Stewardship Scheme where there are options available for conversion to organic farming, and also for ongoing management of land registered as organic. In addition organic farmers have access to a wide range of capital and land management options, within Countryside Stewardship, to improve further the environmental benefits delivered on their farms. This support recognises the additional costs associated with organic farming and delivers enhancements to the countryside.

Home Office

Overseas Students

Lord Teverson: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of Home Office research indicating that only one per cent of foreign students fail to leave the country once they have completed their course, whether they intend to encourage more such students to study in the UK.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: There remains no limit on the number of genuine international students who can come to study in the UK and visa applications from international students to study at British universities are up by 14% since 2010.

Cycleways: Greater London

Lord Wasserman: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the costs to the Metropolitan Police Service measured in (1) manpower, and (2) other resources, to police London's cycle superhighways.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Her Majesty's Government has made no assessment of the costs to the Metropolitan Police Service to police London's cycle superhighways. This is an operational matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

Police: Languages

Lord Wasserman: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any support is available from central government funds to assist police officers in England and Wales to acquire facility in a language other than English.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Police and Crime Commissioners manage police spending.

Refugees: Young People

Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many children they estimate are now able to be reunited with their families as a result of the publication in July of the revised guidance on family reunion for refugees and those with humanitarian protection, which refers explicitly to children aged 18 years and over.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The family reunion policy allows those granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK to sponsor their pre-flight family members, i.e. spouse or partner and children under the age of 18, who formed part of the family unit before the sponsor fled their country, to reunite with them in the UK.Young adults over the age of 18 are considered on an exceptional basis outside the Immigration Rules. As each case is considered on its individual merits, it is not possible to estimate the number of cases that will be granted.

HM Treasury

World War I: Debts

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they owe any money to the government of the United States as a result of purchase of armaments and other equipment during the First World War; and if so, how much they owe and what are the arrangements for repayment.

Lord Young of Cookham: The United Kingdom owed around £850 million to the United States for activities in the First World War. However, in 1931 the United States proposed a temporary moratorium on all War debts, to allow for negotiations on debt repayment. Following negotiations, no satisfactory agreement was reached and as such, repayments were cancelled between the United Kingdom and United States. The last repayment from the United Kingdom to the United States for debt from the First World War was made in the financial year 1932-33.

EU Budget: Contributions

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Young of Cookham on 8 November (HL2736) about the UK's EU budget contributions, whether they will now provide the full answer to the question asked in the body of their response.

Lord Young of Cookham: Details of UK net contributions to the EU Budget over the period 2011-12 to 2015-16 can be found in Table C1 (see below), page 194, of the 2016 Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (Cm 9322) which was published in July, and can be found in the House library. The basis of the calculation is set out in the Own Resources Decision 2014 (Council Decision of 2014/335/EU).  This table also includes the Office for Budget Responsibility’s March forecast of UK net contributions to the EU Budget for the period 2016-17 to 2019-20. The OBR provide an independent fiscal forecast for UK contributions to the EU twice a year.



EU institutions transactions table 
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Northern Ireland Office

Rescue Services: Republic of Ireland

Lord Rogan: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many times over the past 12 months helicopters have flown from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland to provide assistance to injured persons.

Lord Dunlop: Helicopters from the Republic of Ireland have been tasked to Northern Ireland 31 times from 1 November 2015 to 31 October 2016.These taskings included assistance for both maritime and inland incidents.

Terrorism: Northern Ireland

Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Northern Ireland Executive about the provision of £5 million to support measures to tackle continuing paramilitary activity as set out in the 2015 document A Fresh Start: the Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan; and why this payment was withheld from the Northern Ireland Executive.

Lord Dunlop: The Fresh Start Agreement makes clear that the UK Government will provide an additional £25m, over five years, to tackle continuing paramilitary activity.Her Majesty’s Government has received no requests for access to this funding.Discussions are ongoing with the Northern Ireland Executive on the action plan and funding arrangements.

Department of Health

Embryos

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many human embryos were deliberately destroyed in the last 12 months for which figures are available; how many human embryos were transferred to uteri in order to establish pregnancies; and what are the cumulative figures for both circumstances since such procedures were made legal.

Lord Prior of Brampton: The information requested is show in the following tables. Table 1 provides the figures for the most recently available year (1 July 2014 – 30 June 2015). Table 2 provides the cumulative figures from 1 August 1991, after such procedures were brought within a specialist regulatory framework of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, to 30 June 2015. Table 1:Embryos transferred84,044Embryos discarded172,184 Table 2:Embryos transferred1,687,260Embryos discarded2,315,262 Source: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

Pregnancy: Screening

Lord Shinkwin: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the position of Jane Fisher as both a member of the National Screening Committee (NSC) and Director of Antenatal Results and Choices which receives funding from five biotech companies which develop non-invasive prenatal tests, what consideration they gave to the possibility of a conflict of interest having affected the NSC’s recommendation that non-invasive prenatal tests be offered on the NHS, prior to the decision to adopt that recommendation.

Lord Prior of Brampton: Ms Jane Fisher is one of the patient and public voice representatives on the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC). Members are appointed on to the UK NSC as individuals to fulfil the terms of reference of the committee, not as representatives of their particular professions, or their employer or any interest group. At the UK NSC’s meeting on 19 November 2015, Ms Fisher disclosed publicly that, “ARC has received unrestricted donations from biotechnical companies that provide non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and a breakdown of donation has been provided to the UK NSC. ARC is a non-directive organisation which advocates individual choice. They do not promote any products or services. Money donated is put towards sustaining the service provided.” A copy of the minutes of the UK NSC’s meeting on 19 November 2015 is attached.



UK NSC minutes
(PDF Document, 552.03 KB)

Pregnancy: Screening

Lord Shinkwin: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether ministers have met (1) Premaitha Health, or (2) any other biotech firm which develops non-invasive prenatal tests, in the last 12 months; and if so, which ministers were involved in those meetings, when they happened and where they were held.

Lord Prior of Brampton: No Ministers at the Department have met with Premaitha Health. Ministers have regular meetings with biotech firms to discuss a variety of issues.

Pregnancy: Screening

Lord Shinkwin: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Prior of Brampton on 23 March (HL 7087), why, prior to the decision to introduce non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), they did not (1) meet people with Down’s syndrome and their families to discuss their concerns, (2) conduct an assessment of the impact of the introduction of NIPT on people with Down’s syndrome and their families and communities, (3) conclude an ethical review of NIPT, and (4) meet obligations arising under the Equality Act 2010.

Lord Shinkwin: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the submission by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to the National Screening Committee concerning the case for a rigorous economic analysis to be made of the lifetime costs of caring for children and adults with Down’s syndrome.

Lord Prior of Brampton: The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) has recommended that non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for Down’s, Edwards’ and Patau’s syndromes should be introduced as an additional test into the NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme as part of an evaluation. NIPT presents a more accurate and safer screen for Down’s syndrome and reduces the need for diagnostic invasive prenatal testing, which carries a risk of miscarriage. Modelling suggests that NIPT, as an additional test in the current screening pathway will result in the number of women offered invasive prenatal diagnosis (IPD) tests reducing from 7,910 to 1,434, leading to a reduction in IPD-related miscarriage of pregnancies from 46 to 3 per year. The new test will be offered to pregnant women whose chance of having a baby with Down’s, Edwards’ or Patau’s syndromes is greater than 1 in 150. As is standard UK NSC procedure, a three month public consultation was held on the UK NSC’s review of NIPT for Down’s, Edwards’ and Patau’s syndromes. 30 stakeholders responded to the consultation, including organisations representing the interests of people with Down’s syndrome and their families and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. The core aim of the NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme is to provide information and choice. The cost analysis considered by the UK NSC related solely to providing choice and did not take into account the lifetime costs of caring for children and adults with Down’s syndrome. In forming its advice, the UK NSC did give consideration to its ethical implications, in addition to the ethical issues raised in consultation, and formally considered the write up of the roundtable discussion, which was held by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics in January 2016. The roundtable discussions examined the ethical issues relating to the use of NIPT; a note of the meeting held on 18 January 2016 is attached. The UK NSC also sought expert input from its members in obstetrics, midwifery, paediatrics, genetics, patient and public voice alongside advice from the Department and was satisfied that the NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme is compliant with obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and that the Programme is compliant with any obligations under the Equality Act.



Nuffield Council on Bioethics minutes 
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Down's Syndrome: Screening

Lord Shinkwin: To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the Secretary of State for Health has not responded to (1) the letter of 8 March requesting a meeting with Lord Shinkwin and people with Down’s syndrome and their representatives to discuss concerns about the introduction of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), and (2) the letter of 11 October, signed by over 900 people with Down’s syndrome and their families, detailing their concerns regarding the implementation of NIPT into the foetal anomaly screening programme.

Lord Prior of Brampton: The response to the noble Lord’s letter of 8 March resulted in a meeting with the former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health (Jane Ellison) and the noble Lord on 14 June to discuss non-invasive prenatal testing for Down’s, Edwards’ and Patau’s syndromes. A response to the Don’t Screen Us Out campaign’s letter of 11 October was sent to the campaign group on 11 November 2016.

Abortion

Lord Shinkwin: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are taking action to reduce the number of late term abortions for reasons of disability; and if so, what.

Lord Prior of Brampton: Guidance from the Royal College of Obstetricians and GynaecologistsThe Care of Women Requesting Induced Abortion (Evidence-based Clinical Guideline Number 7) already makes it clear that women and their partners should receive appropriate information and support from a properly trained multidisciplinary team, who must adopt a non-judgemental approach regardless of the woman’s decision. This should include referral to other professional experts (including palliative care) and referral for counselling when this can help, as part of a co-ordinated package of care. A copy of the guidance is attached.



Care of women clinical guideline
(PDF Document, 792.89 KB)